A DISABILITY group has been saved from closure thanks to a cash boost of nearly £35,000.

The Disability Community, in the north of Glasgow, which once featured in the TV show The Secret Millionaire, is to get an advance on the funding they receive from Glasgow City Council.

The Possilpark-based group receives an annual £177,273 from the Integrated Grants Fund, to help them support hundreds of disabled people in the city with hot meals and clubs.

They are due to receive the same amount in the financial year of 2014/15 - but the council has agreed to give them an advance of £34,000 to get them through the current difficulties.

As we revealed earlier this week, staff and volunteers at the centre said they needed £50,000 to continue - or they might have to close immediately.

However, the cash advance will carry them through to the end of the financial year in April, as they continue their funding drive.

Each week the group supports up to 600 people with physical and learning disabilities across the city with after-school clubs, social events and classes.

One of the clubs, Cook 'n' Care, which delivers 26,000 homemade meals a year to users, was honoured by the Evening Times last October after it scooped the Community Champion Team Award.

Youth coordinator Madonna Maynes, 32, said: "We are very relieved that the council have helped us with an advance on next year's grant funding.

"The community have also donated generously to keep us open. It will still be a tough road and we are going to need the community's ongoing support to help us."

Leader of Glasgow City Council, Gordon Matheson, said: "We really value the work the Disability Community and Cook 'n' Care do in the north of the city.

"Officers have been working closely with them to try and resolve their current problems and secure a successful and sustainable future."

In 2008 the centre took part in Channel 4's Secret Millionaire TV series, when property tycoon Nick Leslau spent time with service users and staff.

He later donated £225,000 to help with the group's work.

rachel.loxton@ eveningtimes.co.uk